Health of Pele, soccer superstar hospitalized in Brazil, improving
Sports
Health of Pele, soccer superstar hospitalized in Brazil, improving
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian soccer superstar Pele was showing "progressive improvement" after the 82-year-old was hospitalized last week to re-evaluate his treatment for colon cancer, according to a medical report released on Tuesday.
Pele was also being treated for a respiratory infection, remained in a regular hospital room with stable vital signs and was conscious, medical staff at Sao Paulo s Albert Einstein Hospital told reporters.
One of the greatest footballers of all time, Pele had a tumor removed from his colon in September last year and has been receiving medical care for ailments on a regular basis.
"The patient continues to show progressive improvement in his general condition, in particular the respiratory infection," doctors said in a statement.
On Monday, Pele took to social media to show his support for Brazil s national team in their World Cup round of 16 match against South Korea, saying he would watch the game from hospital.
The heavily favored Brazilians beat the South Korean squad 4-1 on Monday night to advance to the quarter-finals.
During the game, Brazil s players unfurled a banner on the pitch with a photo of the soccer great during his 1970 World Cup win that simply read: "Pele!"
The former striker played for Brazil and club sides Santos and the New York Cosmos, helping lead his country to three World Cup championships - in 1958, 1962 and 1970 - a feat no other player has achieved.
